Moving Tips

Professionals at Dominant Moving Company

have put together a list of moving tips and tricks that will help you to better prepare for your move.

Before the move

  1. Make a reservation for your upcoming move 3 to 5 weeks prior to the move. If you are in process of purchasing a new home, we recommend planning a move date a few days (5-7) after the targeted escrow closing date. Get to know your HOA / property management moving requirements. Reserve the elevator if there is a such an option. 
  2. Empty your closets, the attic, and the basement once you make a decision to move out.
  3. Inventory your furniture and possession. Decide on which items you may not need, which ones to keep, where to place them in the new place, and which items (if any) need to go into storage. Make a garage sale for items that you don’t plan to keep or contact local donation companies. Some of them may offer a free pick up. Remember! Lesser the number of items to move, lesser will be your move expense.
  4. Begin packing early. Most of our clients underestimate the time it takes to pack. Read our PACKING TIPS to properly pack your belongings.
  5. Schedule a transfer of your cable, phone, internet services, utilities, and other household services you regularly use with its providers 7 to 10 days before your move.
  6. Large appliances. (Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Freezers). Check manuals for transportation instructions. Disconnect water/gas connectors to appliances before the arrival of movers. Drain the water from appliances and make sure water/gas lines do have leaks. Dominant Moving can disconnect/reconnect appliances, only as a courtesy to the customer. Dominant Moving Company will not be held liable for any resulting damage including mold.
  7. Empty dressers, desks and all other cabinets and pack everything into proper boxes. Furniture is not made to be carried with an extra weight inside.
  8. Clean your BBQ and disconnect the gas tank. Do not water your plants for 5-10 days prior to the move.
  9. Drain the fuel and oil from the lawn mower and other equipment that runs on fuel at least 48 hours from the move date.
  10. Fill out a change of address form 7 – 10 days before the move. (https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/home/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s1&_flowId=icoa-main-flow)
  11. Dispose or move on your own the following items that movers are not allowed to transport by law. Items are Frozen Foods, Perishables, Explosives, Flammables, Aerosol Products, Cleaning Fluids, Bleach, Corrosives, Ammunition, Propane Tanks Gasoline, Matches. For the full list of items check the ITEMS THAT MOVERS CAN’T MOVE BY THE LAW
  12. Arrange a babysitter for your children and pets, they both are curious and love to participate, which will slow down the packing or moving process.
  13. Consider moving your computers, laptops, cameras in your car.
  14. Transport plants on your own if possible. We can take plants on local moves within or intrastate moves with a dedicated truck. We will not move plants on interstate moves.
  15. Pack the box of essentials last Include items that you will need on the first couple of days after the move. Take essential with you. (Toothbrushes, toiletries, cosmetics, prescriptions medicine, coffee, a few changes of clothes, some linens and towels, disposable plates and silverware, plastic containers, microwave vacuum cleaner, garbage bags, leaning items (mop and pail, broom and dustpan, etc.))
  16. Plan to use up most food items before the move, especially the frozen foods.

On the move day

  1. Be present during packing and/or loading for last minute details and to give directions to movers. You know your home better than anyone, so tell us about all your concerns.
  2. Leave the whole day for your move. Don’t plan anything else such as going to a birthday party, going back to work.
  3. Don’t schedule any other services, such as painting, floor installation etc. It will slow down our movers.
  4. Have payment for movers on hand. Have tips (if deserved) ready for movers.
  5. Before leaving the origin, double check each room/closet. Do a final walkthrough with the foreman.
  6. When you leave, turn off lights, close windows and lock doors.
  7. Supervise the placement of boxes and furniture at the new place.
  8. Inspect your furniture for damages and inform the move foreman if there are any.
  9. Check the truck. Make sure nothing was left behind. Check all the compartments where fragile items are often kept for their protection.

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